FELIX JONES HAS been ruled out of Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand as his torrid run of luck with injuries continues.
The Munster full-back is facing at least four months on the sidelines after he damaged his shoulder in the Pro12 semi-final defeat against Ospreys.
Jones, 24, is due to have surgery next week and so will not feature in Declan Kidney’s squad for the three-match series against the All Blacks next month.
The Dubliner missed most of this season with ankle ligament damage, and now faces a race if he is to be fit for the opening of the 2012/2013 season.
Jones was cruelly cost his place in Ireland’s World Cup squad last autumn when he injured his ankle in a warm-up test against France.
After eight months on the sidelines, he made his return for Munster in February and played 11 times, helping them in their Heineken Cup challenge and run to the Pro12 semi-finals.
There was more bad news for the province last night as Johne Murphy and Damien Varley were both ruled out for three months with ankle injuries.
Dave Foley and Ian Nagle, both of whom are recovering from shoulder operations, are expected to return to training in August.
